FROM THE HART NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2007
We will dismiss school at 12:00 pm on four Early Release Days during the 2007-2008 school year (August 16, September 27, March 6, and April 17). Please mark your calendars with these dates. Teachers and teacher assistants will be involved in staff development activities on each Early Release Day. The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Program will be available at our school on these days to supervise students for a reasonable fee. You will need to make arrangements well in advance of each early release date. You may register your child for the program by calling 831-6165.
Everyone (Tracks 1, 2, 3 & 4) is invited to attend Open House, August 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. We will assemble in the cafeteria for introductions of staff members and a brief PTA meeting followed by visitations to the classrooms.
Wake County Public School System requires that all school volunteers register prior to performing services in schools. Parents who were approved during the previous year must reapply for clearance each year. Parents may not accompany students on field trips or volunteer in the classroom until they have been approved. Parents will be able to complete this registration on August 20, in the school’s computer lab. Staff members will be available to assist you with the registration process. Parents may also visit the River Bend Media Center between the hours of 8:45-9:15 AM and 3:45-4:15 PM to complete their volunteer registration on other days.
Our focus for the 2007-2008 school year is to provide your child with a strong quality instructional program. We will continue to emphasize building students’ skills in the areas of reading, writing, math and science as we strive to meet the School Board’s 2008 goal. The Wake County School Board has set a goal that 95% of the students in grades 3 through 12 will be at or above grade level as measured by the State of North Carolina End-of-Grade or Course tests, and all student groups will demonstrate high growth.
The photographer will be here on August 15, (Tracks 1 & 2) to take school pictures of students. Please dress your child in appropriate colors in order to get a good quality picture. Tracks 3 & 4 will have their fall pictures taken on September 11.
Please be reminded to sign in at the office if you visit the school during the day. You will also need to get a visitor’s badge and wear it during the time you are in the school. All visitors to the school should enter the building through the front doors of the school. We appreciate everyone’s help to provide a safe atmosphere for all of the students at River Bend Elementary.
Interim reports for Tracks 1and 2 will be sent home with all first through fifth grade students during the week of August 6-10, 2007. Interim reports for Track 3 and 4 students will be sent home during the week of August 27-31, 2007.
Please send a note with your child if he/she has a change in transportation home from school. Students often forget how they are to go home when there is a change. If we do not receive a note indicating you wish your child to ride a different mode of transportation, we will have no other choice but to send them home via their usual transportation that you identified at the beginning of the school year. We would like for you to also send a note to school with your child when he/she returns after an absence. The note needs to clarify why the child was absent and should be given to the homeroom teacher. We need this information in order to code the child’s absence appropriately (excused or unexcused).
Kindergarten and first grade parents should be reminded that August 13, 2007 is the deadline date for students who do not have all of their shots completed. Health Assessment forms are also due by this date. If you have not taken care of these items, please do so by the above date. State guidelines mandate that these two items be completed within thirty calendar days from the first day of school. Unfortunately, your child will not be able to continue school without proper immunization.
The Pre-EOG test will be administered to 3rd grade students on track 4 on August 7-9, 2007. We encourage all children to come to school on these days and to have plenty of rest and a good breakfast to help prepare them to be successful on the tests.
We wish to remind all parents and students that there should be no trading of food in the cafeteria, due to known and unknown food allergies. In addition, because there are only 30 minutes available for all students to eat breakfast, students are reminded to enter quietly and remain quiet throughout their time in the cafeteria. Parents are also encouraged to set up lunch accounts and deposit money for meals ahead of time. You may designate if you wish for your child to be able to purchase breakfast and snacks as well as their lunch with the money in their account.
We encourage all parents to join the River Bend PTA and to support your school and our students by volunteering to work on a PTA committee. Membership in the PTA is $5.00.
The River Bend Elementary PTA’s Cookie Dough sale fundraiser will run from
August 27-September 7 for track 1 students and from September 17-28 for track 2, 3 & 4.
As outlined on each teacher’s student supply list, all students in grades 1-5 should purchase River Bend planners for their homework and school calendars. Planners cost $5.00 each and are available each morning from 8:45-9:15 AM in the main office.
AUGUST CALENDAR
August 16 Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:00 p.m.)
August 20 Open House (Tracks 1, 2, 3 & 4) 5:30 p.m. Cafeteria
August 15 School Pictures Tracks 1 and 2